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1975–76 NHL season

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(Redirected from 1976 Stanley Cup playoffs) National Hockey League season

Sports season
1975–76 NHL season
LeagueNational Hockey League
SportIce hockey
DurationOctober 7, 1975 – May 16, 1976
Number of games80
Number of teams18
TV partner(s)CBC, CTV, SRC (Canada)
NHL Network, CBS (United States)
Draft
Top draft pickMel Bridgman
Picked byPhiladelphia Flyers
Regular season
Season championsMontreal Canadiens
Season MVPBobby Clarke (Flyers)
Top scorerGuy Lafleur (Canadiens)
Playoffs
Playoffs MVPReggie Leach (Flyers)
Stanley Cup
ChampionsMontreal Canadiens
  Runners-upPhiladelphia Flyers
NHL seasons
← 1974–751976–77 →

The 1975–76 NHL season was the 59th season of the National Hockey League. The Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup, defeating the two-time defending champion Philadelphia Flyers in the final.

Amateur draft

The 1975 NHL Amateur Draft was held on June 3, at the NHL offices in Montreal, Quebec. Mel Bridgman was selected first overall by the Philadelphia Flyers.

Regular season

The Montreal Canadiens set records in wins with 58 and points with 127, beginning a four-year stretch where they would dominate the league in the regular season and win four straight Stanley Cup titles. The Philadelphia Flyers tied the record set by the 1929–30 Boston Bruins for most consecutive home ice wins, with 20.

During the regular season, between December 28 and January 10, "Super Series '76" took place as two teams from the Soviet Championship League played eight exhibitions against NHL teams. HC CSKA Moscow (the "Red Army Club"), defending Soviet champion, played against the New York Rangers, Montreal, Boston and, on January 11, the defending NHL champion, the Philadelphia Flyers, while Krylya Sovetov Moscow ("the Soviet Wings") played against Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Chicago and the New York Islanders.

The New York Rangers got off to their worst start since 1965–66. Under pressure, Emile Francis traded Derek Sanderson to St. Louis and put goaltender Eddie Giacomin on waivers. Detroit claimed him, and then the blockbuster trade of the year saw the Boston Bruins send superstar center Phil Esposito and star defenceman Carol Vadnais to the New York Rangers for star center Jean Ratelle and superstar defenceman Brad Park.

Both Ratelle and Park would excel for the Bruins for years to come, while Esposito's days as the preeminent scorer in the NHL were behind him. Trades did not help the Rangers, as they gave up 333 goals against and finished last in the Patrick Division, which cost Emile Francis his job as general manager, and coach Ron Stewart was fired as well. John Ferguson Sr. took over both jobs.

The Kansas City Scouts established a dubious distinction, winning only one of their final 44 games.

On February 7, 1976, Darryl Sittler set an NHL record that still stands for most points scored in one game. He recorded ten points (six goals, four assists) against the Boston Bruins.

Final standings

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes
Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold

Prince of Wales Conference

Adams Division
GP W L T GF GA Pts
Boston Bruins 80 48 15 17 313 237 113
Buffalo Sabres 80 46 21 13 339 240 105
Toronto Maple Leafs 80 34 31 15 294 276 83
California Golden Seals 80 27 42 11 250 278 65

Norris Division
GP W L T GF GA Pts
Montreal Canadiens 80 58 11 11 337 174 127
Los Angeles Kings 80 38 33 9 263 265 85
Pittsburgh Penguins 80 35 33 12 339 303 82
Detroit Red Wings 80 26 44 10 226 300 62
Washington Capitals 80 11 59 10 224 394 32

Clarence Campbell Conference

Patrick Division
GP W L T GF GA Pts
Philadelphia Flyers 80 51 13 16 348 209 118
New York Islanders 80 42 21 17 297 190 101
Atlanta Flames 80 35 33 12 262 237 82
New York Rangers 80 29 42 9 262 333 67

Smythe Division
GP W L T GF GA Pts
Chicago Black Hawks 80 32 30 18 254 261 82
Vancouver Canucks 80 33 32 15 271 272 81
St. Louis Blues 80 29 37 14 249 290 72
Minnesota North Stars 80 20 53 7 195 303 47
Kansas City Scouts 80 12 56 12 190 351 36

Playoffs

Playoff seeds

The twelve teams that qualified for the playoffs are ranked 1–12 based on regular season points.

Note: Only teams that qualified for the playoffs are listed here.

  1. Montreal Canadiens, Norris Division champions, Prince of Wales Conference regular season champions – 127 points
  2. Philadelphia Flyers, Patrick Division champions, Clarence Campbell Conference regular season champions – 118 points
  3. Boston Bruins, Adams Division champions – 113 points
  4. Buffalo Sabres – 105 points
  5. New York Islanders – 101 points
  6. Los Angeles Kings – 85 points
  7. Toronto Maple Leafs – 83 points
  8. Pittsburgh Penguins – 82 points (35 wins, 5 points head-to-head vs. Atlanta)
  9. Atlanta Flames – 82 points (35 wins, 3 points head-to-head vs. Pittsburgh)
  10. Chicago Black Hawks, Smythe Division champions – 82 points (32 wins)
  11. Vancouver Canucks – 81 points
  12. St. Louis Blues – 72 points

Playoff bracket

Preliminary round Quarterfinals Semifinals Stanley Cup Finals
            
1 Montreal 4
8 Chicago 0
1 Montreal 4
4 NY Islanders 1
1 Buffalo 2
8 St. Louis 1
4 Buffalo 2
5 NY Islanders 4
2 NY Islanders 2
7 Vancouver 0
1 Montreal 4
2 Philadelphia 0
2 Philadelphia 4
7 Toronto 3
4 Toronto 2
5 Pittsburgh 1
2 Philadelphia 4
3 Boston 1
3 Boston 4
6 Los Angeles 3
3 Los Angeles 2
6 Atlanta 0
  • Division winners earned a bye to the quarterfinals
  • Teams were re-seeded based on regular season record after the Preliminary and Quarterfinal rounds

Preliminary round

(1) Buffalo Sabres vs. (8) St. Louis Blues

The Buffalo Sabres were the first seed of the preliminary round and fourth overall with 105 points. The St. Louis Blues were the eighth seed of the preliminary round and twelfth overall with 72 points. This was the first playoff series between these two teams. The Buffalo Sabres won this year's regular season series earning 5 of 8 points.


April 6 Buffalo Sabres 2–5 St. Louis Blues St. Louis Arena Recap  
No scoring First period 04:14 – pp – Derek Sanderson (1)
08:28 – sh – Chuck Lefley (1)
19:42 – pp – Larry Patey (1)
No scoring Second period No scoring
Rick Martin (1) – 08:37
Jacques Richard (1) – 18:11 		Third period 01:56 – Garry Unger (1)
15:31 – Chuck Lefley (2)
Gerry Desjardins 25 saves / 29 shots
Al Smith 1 save / 2 shots 		Goalie stats Ed Staniowski 37 saves / 39 shots
April 8 St. Louis Blues 2–3 OT Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period No scoring
Garry Unger (2) – 02:01
Dave Hrechkosy (1) – 18:02 		Third period 07:35 – sh – Craig Ramsay (1)
11:24 – Danny Gare (1)
No scoring First overtime period 11:43 – Danny Gare (2)
Ed Staniowski 54 saves / 57 shots Goalie stats Gerry Desjardins 14 saves / 16 shots
April 9 St. Louis Blues 1–2 OT Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Recap  
No scoring First period 19:05 – Gilbert Perreault (1)
Red Berenson (1) – 09:10 Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period No scoring
No scoring First overtime period 14:27 – Don Luce (1)
Ed Staniowski 32 saves / 34 shots Goalie stats Gerry Desjardins 21 saves / 22 shots
Buffalo won series 2–1


(2) New York Islanders vs. (7) Vancouver Canucks

The New York Islanders were the second seed in the preliminary round and fifth overall with 101 points. The Vancouver Canucks were the seventh seed in the preliminary round and eleventh overall with 81 points. This was the first playoff series between these two teams. Vancouver won this year's regular season series earning 8 of 10 points.


April 6 Vancouver Canucks 3–5 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
Dennis Ververgaert (1) – pp – 02:58
John Gould (1) – sh – 08:18 		First period 06:01 – Gerry Hart (1)
08:28 – pp – Billy Harris (1)
No scoring Second period 00:10 – sh – Lorne Henning (1)
05:36 – Bill MacMillan (1)
08:20 – Bob Nystrom (1)
Bob Dailey (1) – pp – 04:27 Third period No scoring
Curt Ridley 25 saves / 30 shots Goalie stats Chico Resch 29 saves / 32 shots
April 8 New York Islanders 3–1 Vancouver Canucks Pacific Coliseum Recap  
J.P. Parise (1) – 03:13 First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 07:49 – Chris Oddleifson (1)
Garry Howatt (1) – 11:39
Clark Gillies (1) – 12:11 		Third period No scoring
Chico Resch 29 saves / 30 shots Goalie stats Curt Ridley 31 saves / 34 shots
New York won series 2–0


(3) Los Angeles Kings vs. (6) Atlanta Flames

The Los Angeles Kings were the third seed of the preliminary round and sixth overall 85 points. The Atlanta Flames were the sixth seed of the preliminary round and ninth overall with 82 points, losing the tie-breaker to Pittsburgh in head-to-head points (5 to 3). This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Los Angeles won this year's regular season series earning 6 of 8 points.


April 6 Atlanta Flames 1–2 Los Angeles Kings The Forum Recap  
No scoring First period 00:50 – Tom Williams (1)
No scoring Second period 02:40 – Bob Nevin (1)
Barry Gibbs (1) – 14:36 Third period No scoring
Dan Bouchard 24 saves / 26 shots Goalie stats Rogie Vachon 19 saves / 20 shots
April 8 Los Angeles Kings 1–0 Atlanta Flames Omni Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period No scoring
Bob Berry (1) – 18:16 Third period No scoring
Rogie Vachon 27 saves / 27 shots Goalie stats Dan Bouchard 25 saves / 26 shots
Los Angeles won series 2–0


(4) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (5) Pittsburgh Penguins

The Toronto Maple Leafs were the fourth seed in the preliminary round and seventh overall with 83 points. The Pittsburgh Penguins were the fifth seed in the preliminary round and eighth overall with 82 points, winning the tiebreaker over Atlanta in head-to-head points (5 to 3). This was the first playoff series between these two teams. Pittsburgh won this year's regular season series earning 8 of 10 points.


April 6 Pittsburgh Penguins 1–4 Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leaf Gardens Recap  
No scoring First period 13:01 – pp – Jim McKenny (1)
No scoring Second period 04:44 – Lanny McDonald (1)
11:00 – Bob Neely (1)
Stan Gilbertson (1) – 04:17 Third period 15:02 – George Ferguson (1)
Michel Plasse 32 saves / 36 shots Goalie stats Wayne Thomas 35 saves / 36 shots
April 8 Toronto Maple Leafs 0–2 Pittsburgh Penguins Civic Arena Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 11:25 – pp – Lowell MacDonald (1)
No scoring Third period 19:21 – en – Vic Hadfield (1)
Wayne Thomas 47 saves / 48 shots Goalie stats Michel Plasse 21 saves / 21 shots
April 9 Pittsburgh Penguins 0–4 Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leaf Gardens Recap  
No scoring First period 17:01 – Jim McKenny (2)
No scoring Second period 02:03 – Pat Boutette (1)
09:14 – pp – Borje Salming (1)
No scoring Third period 02:14 – Lanny McDonald (2)
Michel Plasse 32 saves / 36 shots Goalie stats Wayne Thomas 26 saves / 26 shots
Toronto won series 2–1


Quarterfinals

(1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (8) Chicago Black Hawks

The Montreal Canadiens finished first in the league with 127 points. The Chicago Black Hawks finished as the Smythe Division Champions as the eighth and lowest-remaining seed in the playoffs with 82 points. This was the 17th playoff series between these two teams. Montreal leads 11–5 in previous meetings. Their most recent meeting came in the 1973 Stanley Cup Finals, which Montreal won in six games. Montreal won this year's regular season series earning 5 of 8 points.


April 11 Chicago Blackhawks 0–4 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
No scoring First period 04:22 – Larry Robinson (1)
08:30 – Peter Mahovlich (1)
No scoring Second period 16:41 – Doug Jarvis (1)
No scoring Third period 12:50 – Jimmy Roberts (1)
Tony Esposito 33 saves / 37 shots Goalie stats Ken Dryden 22 saves / 22 shots
April 13 Chicago Blackhawks 1–3 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
Darcy Rota (1) – pp – 03:55 First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 14:51 – pp – Yvan Cournoyer (1)
15:05 – pp – Jacques Lemaire (1)
No scoring Third period 00:12 – Guy Lafleur (1)
Tony Esposito 26 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Ken Dryden 21 saves / 22 shots
April 15 Montreal Canadiens 2–1 Chicago Blackhawks Chicago Stadium Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Yvon Lambert (1) – 05:21 Second period No scoring
Guy Lafleur (2) – 19:47 Third period 17:49 – Pit Martin (1)
Ken Dryden 30 saves / 31 shots Goalie stats Tony Esposito 37 saves / 39 shots
April 18 Montreal Canadiens 4–1 Chicago Blackhawks Chicago Stadium Recap  
Serge Savard (1) – sh – 19:05 First period 10:31 – pp – Cliff Koroll (1)
Peter Mahovlich (2) – pp – 02:40 Second period No scoring
Guy Lafleur (3) – 09:56
Doug Jarvis (2) – 14:52 		Third period No scoring
Ken Dryden 34 saves / 35 shots Goalie stats Tony Esposito 22 saves 26 shots
Montreal won series 4–0


(2) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (7) Toronto Maple Leafs

The Philadelphia Flyers finished as Clarence Campbell Conference regular season champions and second seed overall with 118 points. This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. This was a rematch of last year's Stanley Cup Quarterfinals, which Philadelphia won in a four-game sweep. Philadelphia won this year's regular season series earning 7 of 8 points.


April 12 Toronto Maple Leafs 1–4 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Lanny McDonald (3) – pp – 12:11 First period 08:01 – Reggie Leach (1)
13:59 – pp – Orest Kindrachuk (1)
No scoring Second period 06:55 – Bobby Clarke (1)
No scoring Third period 11:31 – pp – Gary Dornhoefer (1)
Wayne Thomas 40 saves / 44 shots Goalie stats Bernie Parent 23 saves / 24 shots
April 13 Toronto Maple Leafs 1–3 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
No scoring First period 15:54 – Dave Schultz (1)
Borje Salming (2) – 15:18 Second period 04:24 – Ross Lonsberry (1)
05:34 – Don Saleski (1)
No scoring Third period No scoring
Wayne Thomas 24 saves / 27 shots Goalie stats Bernie Parent 31 saves / 32 shots
April 15 Philadelphia Flyers 4–5 Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leaf Gardens Recap  
Bobby Clarke (2) – pp – 12:00 First period 08:27 – pp – Scott Garland (1)
14:00 – pp – Claire Alexander (1)
Gary Dornhoefer (2) – 10:58
Jimmy Watson (1) – 11:11 		Second period 03:25 – pp – Errol Thompson (1)
03:54 – pp – Ian Turnbull (1)
17:14 – pp – Stan Weir (1)
Bill Barber (1) – 15:12 Third period No scoring
Bernie Parent 47 saves / 52 shots Goalie stats Wayne Thomas 24 saves / 28 shots
April 17 Philadelphia Flyers 3–4 Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leaf Gardens Recap  
Mel Bridgman (1) – 12:26 First period 03:11 – pp – Errol Thompson (2)
No scoring Second period 16:12 – Borje Salming (3)
18:59 – pp – Lanny McDonald (4)
Reggie Leach (2) – 03:55
Mel Bridgman (2) – 08:30 		Third period 05:57 – George Ferguson (2)
Bernie Parent 24 saves / 28 shots Goalie stats Wayne Thomas 25 saves / 28 shots
April 20 Toronto Maple Leafs 1–7 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
No scoring First period 03:55 – Bill Barber (2)
Bob Neely (2) – pp – 10:42 Second period 10:04 – sh – Don Saleski (2)
11:24 – Gary Dornhoefer (3)
11:37 – Don Saleski (3)
No scoring Third period 04:17 – Don Saleski (4)
07:24 – Reggie Leach (3)
07:51 – Reggie Leach (4)
Wayne Thomas 27 saves / 33 shots
Gord McRae 4 saves / 5 shots 		Goalie stats Bernie Parent 26 saves / 27 shots
April 22 Philadelphia Flyers 5–8 Toronto Maple Leafs Maple Leaf Gardens Recap  
Orest Kindrachuk (2) – 04:52 First period 10:41 – pp – Darryl Sittler (1)
18:21 – sh – Errol Thompson (3)
Tom Bladon (1) – pp – 16:43
Reggie Leach (5) – 16:51 		Second period 10:47 – pp – Darryl Sittler (2)
11:19 – Darryl Sittler (3)
19:21 – Darryl Sittler (4)
Bill Barber (3) – pp – 10:03
Larry Goodenough (1) – 14:31 		Third period 02:06 – Darryl Sittler (5)
10:16 – Jack Valiquette (1)
15:31 – Claire Alexander (2)
Bernie Parent 31 saves / 39 shots Goalie stats Wayne Thomas 42 saves / 47 shots
April 25 Toronto Maple Leafs 3–7 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Jack Valiquette (2) – 01:24
Bob Neely (3) – pp – 18:56 		First period 10:05 – pp – Andre Dupont (1)
No scoring Second period 04:43 – Don Saleski (5)
05:48 – Mel Bridgman (3)
06:04 – Mel Bridgman (4)
07:59 – pp – Ross Lonsberry (2)
19:07 – Reggie Leach (6)
Ian Turnbull (2) – 18:24 Third period 09:45 – pp – Bill Barber (4)
Wayne Thomas 36 saves / 43 shots Goalie stats Bernie Parent 21 saves / 24 shots
Philadelphia won series 4–3


(3) Boston Bruins vs. (6) Los Angeles Kings

The Boston Bruins finished as the Adams Division regular season champions and third seed overall with 113 points. This was the first playoff series between these two teams. Boston won this year's regular season series earning 8 of 10 points.


April 11 Los Angeles Kings 0–4 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
No scoring First period 16:34 – pp – Ken Hodge (1)
16:57 – pp – Jean Ratelle (1)
No scoring Second period 00:52 – sh – Dave Forbes (1)
No scoring Third period 06:15 – pp – Jean Ratelle (2)
Rogie Vachon 19 saves / 23 shots Goalie stats Gilles Gilbert 21 saves / 21 shots
April 13 Los Angeles Kings 3–2 OT Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
No scoring First period 05:53 – Jean Ratelle (3)
Marcel Dionne (1) – 3:08 Second period 14:31 – pp – Johnny Bucyk (1)
Marcel Dionne (2) – pp – 06:53 Third period No scoring
Butch Goring (1) – pp – 00:27 First overtime period No scoring
Gary Edwards 28 saves / 30 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 20 saves / 23 shots
April 15 Boston Bruins 4–6 Los Angeles Kings The Forum Recap  
Gregg Sheppard (1) – 05:02
Brad Park (1) – 07:37 		First period 09:23 – pp – Mike Murphy (1)
16:17 – Marcel Dionne (3)
Don Marcotte (1) – pp – 16:58 Second period 02:21 – pp – Marcel Dionne (4)
Dallas Smith (1) – 15:33 Third period 02:51 – Marcel Dionne (5)
08:13 – Don Kozak (1)
12:57 – Bob Nevin (2)
Gilles Gilbert 28 saves/ 34 shots Goalie stats Rogie Vachon 27 saves / 31 shots
April 17 Boston Bruins 3–0 Los Angeles Kings The Forum Recap  
Gregg Sheppard (2) – pp – 17:28 First period No scoring
Jean Ratelle (4) – 03:52 Second period No scoring
Don Marcotte (2) – 18:49 Third period No scoring
Gerry Cheevers 27 saves / 27 shots Goalie stats Rogie Vachon 25 saves / 27 shots
April 20 Los Angeles Kings 1–7 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
Marcel Dionne (6) – pp – 06:39 First period 17:41 – Don Marcotte (3)
No scoring Second period 00:55 – Bobby Schmautz (1)
06:31 – pp – Ken Hodge (2)
13:52 – sh – Brad Park (2)
16:12 – pp – Jean Ratelle (5)
No scoring Third period 09:03 – pp – Brad Park (3)
10:46 – Terry O'Reilly (1)
Gary Edwards 33 saves / 40 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 19 saves / 20 shots
April 22 Boston Bruins 3–4 OT Los Angeles Kings The Forum Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Bobby Schmautz (2) – 01:00
Darryl Edestrand (1) – 16:14
Gregg Sheppard (3) – 19:45 		Second period 00:21 – Tom Williams (2)
No scoring Third period 10:50 – Mike Corrigan (1)
17:48 – Mike Corrigan (2)
No scoring First overtime period 18:28 – Butch Goring (2)
Gerry Cheevers 32 saves / 36 shots Goalie stats Rogie Vachon 24 saves / 27 shots
April 25 Los Angeles Kings 0–3 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 09:42 – pp – Jean Ratelle (6)
12:21 – pp – Ken Hodge (3)
No scoring Third period 06:16 – Jean Ratelle (7)
Rogie Vachon 35 saves / 38 shots Goalie stats Gilles Gilbert 15 saves / 15 shots
Boston won series 4–3


(4) Buffalo Sabres vs. (5) New York Islanders

This was the first playoff series between these two teams. The teams split this year's four-game regular season series.


April 11 New York Islanders 3–5 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Recap  
No scoring First period 05:37 – Rene Robert (1)
15:30 – Gilbert Perreault (2)
Billy Harris (2) – 12:43 Second period 00:19 – Don Luce (2)
16:28 – pp – Rick Martin (2)
Bob Nystrom (2) – pp – 06:19
Garry Howatt (2) – 16:37 		Third period 07:26 – Rene Robert (2)
Chico Resch 18 saves / 22 shots
Billy Smith 3 saves/ 4 shots 		Goalie stats Gerry Desjardins 19 saves / 22 shots
April 13 New York Islanders 2–3 OT Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Recap  
No scoring First period 10:27 – Brian Spencer (1)
No scoring Second period 02:05 – Don Luce (3)
Denis Potvin (1) – pp – 13:07
J.P. Parise (2) – 18:55 		Third period No scoring
No scoring First overtime period 14:04 – Danny Gare (3)
Billy Smith 40 saves / 43 shots Goalie stats Gerry Desjardins 27 saves / 29 shots
April 15 Buffalo Sabres 3–5 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period 03:23 – Billy Harris (3)
07:17 – Jude Drouin (1)
Gilbert Perreault (3) – 11:34
Don Luce (4) – 19:55 		Second period 12:39 – J.P. Parise (3)
Rick Martin (3) – pp – 08:50 Third period 11:04 – Bill MacMillan (2)
11:39 – Billy Harris (4)
Gerry Desjardins 32 saves / 37 shots Goalie stats Billy Smith 25 saves / 28 shots
April 17 Buffalo Sabres 2–4 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
Rene Robert (3) – 05:25 First period 02:08 – pp – Denis Potvin (2)
No scoring Second period 13:00 – Garry Howatt (3)
18:02 – Denis Potvin (3)
18:44 – Billy Harris (5)
Danny Gare (4) – 12:31 Third period No scoring
Gerry Desjardins 19 saves / 23 shots Goalie stats Billy Smith 27 saves / 29 shots
April 20 New York Islanders 4–3 Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Recap  
Andre St. Laurent (1) – 07:40
J.P. Parise (4) – pp – 14:10 		First period 05:37 – Rick Martin (4)
06:57 – Danny Gare (5)
No scoring Second period No scoring
Denis Potvin (4) – 15:32
Bert Marshall (1) – 19:41 		Third period 10:16 – Jim Lorentz (1)
Billy Smith 21 saves / 24 shots Goalie stats Gerry Desjardins 26 saves / 30 shots
April 22 Buffalo Sabres 2–3 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period 07:45 – Jude Drouin (2)
Gilbert Perreault (4) – 04:42 Second period 13:07 – pp – Ed Westfall (1)
Jerry Korab (1) – 4:09 Third period 05:58 – Clark Gillies (2)
Gerry Desjardins 26 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Billy Smith 15 saves / 17 shots
New York won series 4–2


Semifinals

(1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (4) New York Islanders

This was the first playoff series meeting between these two teams.


April 27 New York Islanders 2–3 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Ed Westfall (2) – 03:40 Second period 08:05 – Steve Shutt (1)
Bill MacMillan (3) – 06:59 Third period 13:18 – Larry Robinson (2)
14:44 – Yvan Cournoyer (2)
Billy Smith 26 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Ken Dryden 15 saves / 17 shots
April 29 New York Islanders 3–4 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
No scoring First period 02:46 – Bob Gainey (1)
04:06 – Steve Shutt (2)
Jude Drouin (3) – pp – 16:33 Second period 06:23 – pp – Guy Lapointe (1)
Ralph Stewart (1) – pp – 04:34
Jude Drouin (4) – 08:14 		Third period 02:42 – Serge Savard (2)
Billy Smith 17 saves / 21 shots
Chico Resch 6 saves / 6 shots 		Goalie stats Ken Dryden 38 saves / 41 shots
May 1 Montreal Canadiens 3–2 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period 11:29 – Garry Howatt (4)
12:44 – Bryan Trottier (1)
No scoring Second period No scoring
Guy Lapointe (2) – 03:29
Jimmy Roberts (2) – sh – 11:50
Yvon Lambert (2) – 16:12 		Third period No scoring
Ken Dryden 33 saves / 35 shots Goalie stats Chico Resch 30 saves / 33 shots
May 4 Montreal Canadiens 2–5 New York Islanders Nassau Coliseum Recap  
No scoring First period 06:55 – Jude Drouin (5)
07:30 – Denis Potvin (5)
No scoring Second period 05:53 – Jude Drouin (6)
13:29 – Bill MacMillan (4)
Guy Lafleur (4) – 17:21
Guy Lafleur (5) – 18:26 		Third period 19:14 – pp-en – Lorne Henning (2)
Ken Dryden 28 saves / 32 shots Goalie stats Chico Resch 36 saves / 38 shots
May 6 New York Islanders 2–5 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Garry Howatt (5) – 11:51 Second period 02:38 – Steve Shutt (3)
10:29 – Murray Wilson (1)
19:01 – pp – Serge Savard (3)
Bob Nystrom (3) – 16:30 Third period 14:47 – pp – Peter Mahovlich (3)
17:10 – Steve Shutt (4)
Chico Resch 28 saves / 33 shots Goalie stats Ken Dryden 21 saves / 23 shots
Montreal won series 4–1


(2) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (3) Boston Bruins

This was the second playoff series meeting between these two teams. Philadelphia won the only previous meeting in a major upset in the 1974 Stanley Cup Finals in six games.


April 27 Boston Bruins 4–2 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Gary Doak (1) – 07:45 First period 18:45 – Orest Kindrachuk (3)
Ken Hodge (4) – pp – 12:09 Second period 15:10 – pp – Reggie Leach (7)
Dallas Smith (2) – 04:29
Gregg Sheppard (4) – 06:17 		Third period No scoring
Gilles Gilbert 25 saves / 27 shots Goalie stats Bernie Parent 20 saves / 24 shots
April 29 Boston Bruins 1–2 OT Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
No scoring First period 08:20 – Don Saleski (6)
No scoring Second period No scoring
Johnny Bucyk (2) – pp – 13:17 Third period No scoring
No scoring First overtime period 13:38 – Reggie Leach (8)
Gerry Cheevers 36 saves / 38 shots Goalie stats Wayne Stephenson 32 saves / 33 shots
May 2 Philadelphia Flyers 5–2 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
Ross Lonsberry (3) – 05:26 First period 11:09 – pp – Jean Ratelle (8)
Bill Barber (5) – 19:11 Second period 13:56 – Wayne Cashman (1)
Mel Bridgman (5) – 02:11
Reggie Leach (9) – 07:02
Tom Bladon (2) – 14:30 		Third period No scoring
Wayne Stephenson 26 saves / 28 shots Goalie stats Gilles Gilbert 21 saves / 26 shots
May 4 Philadelphia Flyers 4–2 Boston Bruins Boston Garden Recap  
Mel Bridgman (6) – 18:31 First period 11:49 – Terry O'Reilly (2)
19:39 – Terry O'Reilly (3)
Reggie Leach (10) – 00:23 Second period No scoring
Orest Kindrachuk (4) – 02:59
Joe Watson (1) – 17:59 		Third period No scoring
Wayne Stephenson 27 saves / 29 shots Goalie stats Gerry Cheevers 21 saves / 25 shots
May 6 Boston Bruins 3–6 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
No scoring First period 05:45 – Reggie Leach (11)
Gregg Sheppard (5) – 00:59 Second period 02:02 – Reggie Leach (12)
08:51 – Reggie Leach (13)
17:09 – Reggie Leach (14)
Don Marcotte (4) – 06:09
Andre Savard (1) – 17:57 		Third period 08:07 – Reggie Leach (15)
17:13 – Larry Goodenough (2)
Gilles Gilbert 15 saves / 21 shots Goalie stats Wayne Stephenson 25 saves / 28 shots
Philadelphia won series 4–1


Stanley Cup Finals

Main article: 1976 Stanley Cup Finals

This was the second playoff series (and only Finals) meeting between these two teams. Montreal won the only previous meeting in the 1973 Stanley Cup Semifinals in five games.

The two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Philadelphia Flyers, once again made it to the finals, but were swept in four games by the Montreal Canadiens.


May 9 Philadelphia Flyers 3–4 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
Reggie Leach (16) – 00:21
Ross Lonsberry (4) – 13:22 		First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 04:04 – Jim Roberts (3)
06:30 – Larry Robinson (3)
Larry Goodenough (3) – pp – 05:17 Third period 10:02 – Jacques Lemaire (2)
18:38 – Guy Lapointe (3)
Wayne Stephenson 32 saves / 36 shots Goalie stats Ken Dryden 17 saves / 20 shots
May 11 Philadelphia Flyers 1–2 Montreal Canadiens Montreal Forum Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
No scoring Second period 15:19 – sh – Jacques Lemaire (3)
Dave Schultz (2) – 17:35 Third period 02:41 – Guy Lafleur (6)
Wayne Stephenson 17 saves / 19 shots Goalie stats Ken Dryden 25 saves / 26 shots
May 13 Montreal Canadiens 3–2 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Steve Shutt (5) – pp – 03:17 First period 08:40 – pp – Reggie Leach (17)
18:14 – Reggie Leach (18)
Steve Shutt (6) – pp – 01:09 Second period No scoring
Pierre Bouchard (1) – 09:16 Third period No scoring
Ken Dryden 20 saves / 22 shots Goalie stats Wayne Stephenson 22 saves / 25 shots
May 16 Montreal Canadiens 5–3 Philadelphia Flyers Spectrum Recap  
Steve Shutt (7) – pp – 05:35
Pierre Bouchard (2) – pp – 11:48 		First period 00:40 – Reggie Leach (19)
18:20 – pp – Bill Barber (6)
Yvan Cournoyer (3) – pp – 19:49 Second period 13:59 – pp – Anrde Dupont (2)
Guy Lafleur (7) – 14:18
Peter Mahovlich (4) – 15:16 		Third period No scoring
Ken Dryden 21 saves / 24 shots Goalie stats Wayne Stephenson 25 saves / 30 shots
Montreal won series 4–0


Awards

1976 NHL awards
Prince of Wales Trophy:
(Wales Conference regular season champion)		 Montreal Canadiens
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl:
(Campbell Conference regular season champion)		 Philadelphia Flyers
Art Ross Trophy:
(Top scorer, regular season)		 Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy:
(Perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication)		 Rod Gilbert, New York Rangers
Calder Memorial Trophy:
(Top first-year player)		 Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders
Conn Smythe Trophy:
(Most valuable player, playoffs)		 Reggie Leach, Philadelphia Flyers
Hart Memorial Trophy:
(Most valuable player, regular season)		 Bobby Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers
Jack Adams Award:
(Best coach)		 Don Cherry, Boston Bruins
James Norris Memorial Trophy:
(Best defenceman)		 Denis Potvin, New York Islanders
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy:
(Excellence and sportsmanship)		 Jean Ratelle, New York Rangers/Boston Bruins
Lester B. Pearson Award:
(Outstanding player, regular season)		 Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens
Vezina Trophy:
(Goaltender(s) of team(s) with best goaltending record)		 Ken Dryden, Montreal Canadiens

All-Star teams

First Team   Position   Second Team
Ken Dryden, Montreal Canadiens G Glenn Resch, New York Islanders
Denis Potvin, New York Islanders D Börje Salming, Toronto Maple Leafs
Brad Park, Boston Bruins/New York Rangers D Guy Lapointe, Montreal Canadiens
Bobby Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers C Gilbert Perreault, Buffalo Sabres
Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens RW Reggie Leach, Philadelphia Flyers
Bill Barber, Philadelphia Flyers LW Rick Martin, Buffalo Sabres

Player statistics

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Guy Lafleur Montreal Canadiens 80 56 69 125 36
Bobby Clarke Philadelphia Flyers 76 30 89 119 136
Gilbert Perreault Buffalo Sabres 80 44 69 113 36
Bill Barber Philadelphia Flyers 80 50 62 112 104
Pierre Larouche Pittsburgh Penguins 76 53 58 111 33
Jean Ratelle New York Rangers/Boston Bruins 80 36 69 105 18
Pete Mahovlich Montreal Canadiens 80 34 71 105 76
Jean Pronovost Pittsburgh Penguins 80 52 52 104 24
Darryl Sittler Toronto Maple Leafs 79 41 59 100 90
Syl Apps Jr. Pittsburgh Penguins 80 32 67 99 24

Source: NHL.

Leading goaltenders

Note: GP = Games played; Min – Minutes played; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts

Player Team GP MIN GA GAA W L T SO
Ken Dryden Montreal Canadiens 62 3580 121 2.03 42 10 8 8
Chico Resch N.Y. Islanders 44 2546 88 2.07 23 11 8 7
Dan Bouchard Atlanta Flames 47 2671 113 2.54 19 17 8 2
Wayne Stephenson Philadelphia Flyers 66 3819 164 2.58 40 10 13 1
Billy Smith N.Y. Islanders 39 2254 98 2.61 19 10 9 3
Gilles Gilbert Boston Bruins 55 3123 151 2.90 33 8 10 3
Tony Esposito Chicago Black Hawks 68 4003 198 2.97 30 23 13 4
Rogatien Vachon L.A. Kings 51 3060 160 3.14 26 20 5 5
Wayne Thomas Toronto Maple Leafs 64 3684 196 3.19 28 24 12 2
Gary Simmons California Golden Seals 40 2360 131 3.33 15 19 5 2

Other statistics

Coaches

Patrick Division

Adams Division

Norris Division

Smythe Division

Debuts

The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1975–76 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs):

Last games

The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1975–76 (listed with their last team):

NOTE: Boudrias finished his major professional career in the World Hockey Association.

Broadcasting

Hockey Night in Canada on CBC Television televised Saturday night regular season games and Stanley Cup playoff games. This was the last season that HNIC aired both radio and television broadcasts of games; the broadcasts would become exclusive to television the next season. This was also the last season that CTV regularly aired HNIC-produced Wednesday night regular season game telecasts before the network started to give the rights to these midweek games back to local stations. CBC did not televise any opening round playoff games this postseason, selling those rights back to the individual Canadian teams.

Unable to sign a U.S. national television contract, the league put together a broadcast syndication package called the NHL Network to have games aired on various American independent stations. The 1976 Stanley Cup Finals on the NHL Network marked the first time that the NHL's championship series was nationally televised in its entirety in the United States.

On January 4, 1976, CBS decided to televise the Soviet Wings–Buffalo Sabres Super Series game nationally in the U.S., but that was the network's only involvement in broadcasting an NHL team this season.

See also

Notes

  1. CBS only televised the January 4 Super Series '76 game.

References

Notes
  1. Super Series site
  2. ^ Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Dan Diamond & Associates. p. 151. ISBN 9781894801225.
  3. Dinger 2011, p. 150.

External links

1975–76 NHL season
Patrick
Adams
Norris
Smythe
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